A SERVICE for people with arthritis, hip and knee conditions, joint and muscle injuries and spinal pain is proving to be a success with around 5,000 patients using it last year.

The main aim of the Integrated Musculoskeletal Service is to ensure that patients are seen by the right person first time. The service is involving and supporting patients to make the right decision, for themselves, about their treatment - for example by highlighting alternative treatments to hip and knee surgery.

“The aim of the service is to get it right first time for our patients and to support them to choose the right treatment for their condition,” said James Geary, extended scope physiotherapist. “We’ve had some great feedback from our patients which is positive.”

The service is provided by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust which runs Furness General.

Patient feedback has included:

“Considerate and quick. Someone who listened well and sorted out the problem. I wanted a good explanation about what was happening with my body and I got it. Thank you.”

The team has expanded its specialist clinics for those with musculoskeletal problems across the following sites: Westmorland General Hospital, Ulverston Community Health Centre, Grange Health Centre, Heysham Primary Care Centre, Alfred Barrow Health Centre, Furness General Hospital, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Millom Health Centre and Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe.

This new way of working is another example of Bay Health and Care Partners working together more effectively to provide better care in the community, which will keep people across Morecambe Bay healthier and at home for longer without having to come into hospital.